The 2009 Falcons: A slow start yields to a furious finish
Good news: The team is accustomed to its coaches, and vice versa. Bad news: The schedule is much more difficult. Good news: The defense is faster. Bad news: The defense is younger. What will it all mean for the 2009 Falcons? Something like this:
Miami, Sept. 13: The first pass of Matt Ryan’s first season went for a touchdown. The second pass of his second season will do likewise. This won’t become a negative until he’s as old as George Blanda. Falcons 27, Dolphins 17.
Carolina, Sept. 20: Here’s what we private detectives call a red herring. The Panthers come to the Dome, exploit the Falcons’ remade secondary and lay early claim to the NFC South title. Panthers 23, Falcons 17.
At New England, Sept. 27: Speaking of an exploited secondary, here come Messrs. Brady and Moss and Welker, and there go 41 big fat points up on the ol’ Foxborough scoreboard. Patriots 41, Falcons 14.
At San Francisco, Oct. 11: The Falcons come off their bye and begin to put things right. And didn’t the annual trip to San Fran used to be a nightmare? What happened to the Niners, anyway? Falcons 30, 49ers 17.
Chicago, Oct. 18: New quarterback in Chi, as you’ve doubtless heard. Won’t matter. The Bears still haven’t gotten over those final 11 seconds from last season, and now Jason Elam does it again. Falcons 23, Bears 20.
At Dallas, Oct. 25: Not much in-between with the Cowboys. Depending on the observer, Dallas is either a Super Bowl team or NFL’s the most overrated club. It won’t look overrated this day. Cowboys 28, Falcons 20.
At New Orleans, Nov. 2: When last the Falcons played on Monday night in the Superdome, they were overwhelmed in the Katrina Game. They won’t be overwhelmed this time. They won’t win, either. Saints 31, Falcons 24.
Washington, Nov. 8: The Falcons are under .500 and are 0-2 in the NFC South, which makes this a gut check. It will also be the game on which the season turns. Defense starts to grow up. Falcons 31, Redskins 14.
At Carolina, Nov. 15: The Falcons weren’t better than the Panthers in September, but they are now. They’ll win a massive road game and serve notice that the division title is still within their reach. Falcons 23, Panthers 17.
Loading ...At New York Giants, Nov. 22: Boy, the schedule just won’t let up, will it? The Falcons give the NFC’s best team a royal scare, but the noise and the cold and the opponent prove too tough. Giants 24, Falcons 20.
Tampa Bay, Nov. 29: Don’t look now, but the schedule is about to ease, just in time. The Falcons nose back above .500 with a comprehensive win over the club that dumped Jon Gruden. Falcons 30, Buccaneers 14.
Philadelphia, Dec. 6: Let’s assume this one’s sold out. Let’s assume this gets moved to Sunday night. Let’s assume Michael Vick not only plays but scores the winning touchdown. Eagles 27, Falcons 24.
New Orleans, Dec. 13: It’s starting to coalesce — offense, defense, Mike Smith’s pregame speech. The Falcons bear only slight resemblance to the team of September, and that’s good! Falcons 33, Saints 20.
At New York Jets, Dec. 20: Back to the Meadowlands for a much easier assignment. The Jets are OK, but they’re not the Giants. And the Falcons, bang on cue, are really rumbling. Falcons 23, Jets 14.
Buffalo, Dec. 27: Confetti drops from the ceiling two days after Christmas. The Falcons clinch a second consecutive winning season for the first time ever. Only took 43 years. Falcons 30, Bills 17.
At Tampa Bay, Jan. 3: Two days after Georgia wins the Outback Bowl in Raymond James Stadium, the Falcons win the NFC South. They finish 10-6 and head to the playoffs. Wasn’t easy, though. Falcons 28, Buccaneers 13.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
145 comments Add your comment
Tech Fan
August 21st, 2009
1:39 pm
Bad News,
I think by “Both of them were redshirted”, he meant Vick and Ryan.
Hillbilly Deluxe
August 21st, 2009
1:45 pm
Aren’t those uniforms in the picture the 1966 uniforms? Excuse me, I’ve broken into a cold sweat and am searching furiously for a paper sack. (I remember the 1966 season).
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
1:52 pm
Bad News……..remember 2005 and 2006. Enough said!! VICK SUCKS!
Vick will destroy the Eagles franchise.
Write this down…..Eagles 6-10 no playoffs and Vick will be sent out of town on an Alpo truck!!
midnite
August 21st, 2009
1:53 pm
Bad News-None of your posts make any sense and you are not very good at math. I’m sure you support Vick unconditionally. It really tells what your values are, or lack of which thereof. Vick is a felon, half a$$ slacking, lying, dope smoking, animal abusing, low life gangster wannabeeand ex-con.
DawginLex
August 21st, 2009
1:54 pm
Folks don’t argue with the idiot. He will make you angry, take you to a place you don’t want to go and beat you with experience.
He know he can’t justify his arguments so he lashes out like idiots do. Just ignore him and be thankful that:
1.)ryan is here
2.)Mike Smith is here
3.)the defense is getting better
4.)vick is in Philly
Regarding point #3)Even the idiot should be able to understand that Flacco won more in the playoffs because the Ravens had a better defense than the Falcons.
Supes
August 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
Mark,
12-4.
Remember this, I’ll be “back to collect” when the season is over.
book it.
Amazing!!!
August 21st, 2009
2:03 pm
MAKING HIS MARK
Of course, the club’s most profound metamorphosis occurred on offense. And so much of that was due to Michael. At an age when most quarterbacks are still in college, he took the first steps toward becoming the bona fide leader of an NFL team. His teammates not only liked him, they looked up to him and trusted him—even those 10 years his senior.
The qualities the Falcons admired in Michael were not hard to understand. He made at least one play a game that defied description, like a mind-blowing 44-yard touchdown run against the Panthers. There was also a 40-yard, against-the-grain bullet against the Green Bay Packers that was the lead of a November ‘02 story on Michael in USA Today Sports Weekly.
Making these types of jaw-dropping plays that much more amazing was the fact that Michael limited his mistakes. He was not the scatter-armed, deer-in-the-headlights stereotype of the young passer forced too soon into the starting lineup. On the contrary, he went longer than any other QB in 2002 before throwing his first interception. Also, when Michael got on a roll, he carried the whole offense with him—elevating the performance of everyone around him.
That was the case in Atlanta’s 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13, when he ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. That win appeared to secure a playoff spot for the team and got plenty of people talking about Michael as the league MVP. But the Falcons limped home, dropping three of their last four. Fortunately for them, the New Orleans Saints played even worse. Atlanta backed into the postseason despite a painful loss to the Cleveland Browns on the last Sunday of the regular campaign.
The Falcons’ poor finish banished them to a first-round match-up against the Packers in Green Bay.With snow falling on Lambeau Field almost all game long, Atlanta pulled a major upset, 27-7. The defense was terrific, shutting down Green Bay’s running game and putting constant pressure on Brett Favre. Michael was also fantastic. Though his numbers were just average (117 yards passing and 64 yards rushing), he led the Falcons on scoring drives on their first possessions of the first and third quarters, and made like Houdini on several occasions by escaping what appeared to be certain sacks.
The following week the Falcons fell in Philadelphia to the Eagles. In a defensive struggle, Michael committed a crucial mistake early, throwing an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by Bobby Taylor and returned for a touchdown. While Atlanta’s offense was able to move the ball most of the game, the Eagles stiffened in the red zone and won 20-6.
Michael learned a valuable lesson on that day. The rule for quarterbacks as their teams advance deeper into the NFL playoffs is to make the most of scoring opportunities, avoid errors and manage the clock. While Donovan McNabb posted less impressive stats than Michael, he didn’t take any unnecessary chances and capitalized whenever Atlanta’s defense provided an opening.
In the final analysis, Michael’s first season as a starter was an unqualified success. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards, ran for almost 800 yards and accounted for 24 touchdowns. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl. Most important, however, he showed the ability to win on the road in pressure situations.
Michael faced pressure of a different kind as the 2003 season opened. In training camp, he suffered a fractured fibula in his left leg that threatened to end his year. The injury dealt a severe blow to the Falcons, who some predicted would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Without Michael, Atlanta’s offense sagged to one of the league’s worst. Opponents were able to crowd the line of scrimmage, which made it much easier to clamp down on Dunn and Duckett. Meanwhile, quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner were awful. The Falcons dropped to the basement in the NFC South, and Reeves came under heavy criticism.
Michael also had his critics. Many questioned his toughness when his recovery dragged on longer than predicted. Even Reeves seemed a bit impatient.
Michael, however, stuck to his guns, saying he wouldn’t return until he was sure he could play without any reservation or uncertainty. With Atlanta’s record at 2-9, he finally deemed himself fully healthy in late November. In his first game back, a 17-13 loss at Houston, Michael got his feet wet with about two quarters worth of action against the Texans.
A week later in the Georgia Dome, he made his first start of ‘03, an event that the Falcons treated like a title game. After LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem (dressed in a Vick jersey), Michael emerged from the tunnel onto the field. The Atlanta faithful erupted in deafening cheers. The left-hander didn’t disappoint. Showing almost no rust, Michael passed for 179 yards and rushed for 141 more (the third highest total for the a QB in NFL history) and a touchdown. His presence energized the entire team. The Falcons beat the Panthers in overtime on a 32-yard TD interception by Kevin Mathis.
The remainder of the season was about Michael reacquainting himself with the league. He struggled against the Indianapolis Colts, but rebounded with two solid outings to end the year. In fact, in a 30-28 victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the campaign’s second-to-last Sunday, Michael posted a QB rating of 119.2, the second best mark of his career.
Michael Vick, 2002 Topps
The win against Tampa Bay helped the Falcons finish at 5-11—but that record that wasn’t nearly good enough to save Reeves’s job. (Actually, he was fired before the year ended.) In his place, the team hired Jim Mora Jr., formerly San Francisco’s defensive coordinator. He tabbed Greg Knapp and Alex Gibbs as his offensive and defensive coordinators. In the draft, new GM Rick McKay plucked cornerback DeAngelo Hall in the first round of the draft.
In training camp, Michael was slow to pick up Knapp’s version of the West Coast offense. The system—which called for short, quick passes—didn’t seem to fit his talents. But the regular season was an entirely different story. The Falcons finished at 11-5 and won their division. Michael was solid, throwing for 2,313 yards and rushing for 902. In all, he accounted for 17 touchdowns.
Atlanta started the 2004 season on a tear, winning its first four games. Michael’s performance in Week 3 against division rival St. Louis proved he was comfortable in the new offense. On the day, he completed 14 of 19 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. He also added 109 yards on 12 carries. Atlanta won easily, 34-17.
Michael enjoyed another big day five weeks later in Denver. In perhaps his finest game as a pro, he threw for 252 yards and two scores, with no interceptions. Michael ran for another 115 yards. He ended the afternoon with a passer rating of 136.1, as Atlanta whipped the Broncos, 41-28.
The Falcons took five of their next six games to seal the AFC South crown. Michael, however, was hurting with a sore shoulder. Hoping to get his quarterback healthy for the playoffs, Mora sat Michael in a loss to the Saints, and then played him for only a couple of series in the season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
With Atlanta earning a bye in the first round, Michael enjoyed an extra week of rest, which turned out to be awful news for the Rams. After beating Seattle in a Wild Card matchup, St. Louis had no answer for Michael or Atlanta’s punishing running game. While Michael passed for only 82 yards, two of his completions went for two touchdowns, and he also rushed for 119 yards, part of a dominant 337-yard ground attack. The Falcons pummeled the Rams, 42-17, and moved on to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The same question was asked over and over again heading into the contest. Was Michael ready to take his team to the Super Bowl? With the wind howling in Philly, it didn’t appear so. The Eagles shut down Dunn and Duckett, and kept Michael in the pocket, where he seemed confused by the variety of blitzes and coverages confronting him. Meanwhile, Donovan McNabb displayed the maturity that Michael still lacked. The Eagles converted several key turnovers into back-breaking scores and cruised to the NFC championship, 27-10.
All in all, the ‘04 campaign was still a great learning experience for Michael. Though his critics remained, knocking him for being a halfback wearing a quarterback’s number, he demonstrated greater ability to think his way through a game.
Atlanta fans had visions of the first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history in 2005. While the team played well, the Falcons could not overcome stronger division rivals Carolina and Tampa Bay. After an 8–5 start, Atlanta dropped its final three games to finish with a .500 record. Michael had a nice year, starting 15 games and throwing for 2,412 yards. He ran for another 597 and led the NFL at 5.9 yards per carry.
Michael’s ’05 numbers only told part of the story, however. Again, he continued to learn how to turn the extra attention he drew into opportunities for teammates. Dunn, tight end Alge Crumpler, and receiver Michael Jenkins all had superb seasons.
The 2006 campaign saw Michael’s number rise, but his team’s fortunes drooped, with just seven victories. Atlanta actually had a chance to make the playoffs in a weak NFC but didn’t get the help it needed in the last two weeks. Twice during the year, Michael threw four touchdowns in a game. He finished the season with a career-best 20.
SWAT Native
August 21st, 2009
2:03 pm
Mark,
Love your blogs and your projection, but I think that for comparison purposes (and to establish your credibility), you should post a link to last year’s forecast.
GameTheory
August 21st, 2009
2:07 pm
Mark I am trying really hard not to be more pessimistic this year (respecting the consecutive seasons curse, yada yada yada) but I can’t. I am expecting 12-4 this year and an NFC South title. We sweep the ‘Aints, pick off the Cowboys and split home and home with the Panthers. Maybe not a Super Bowl this year but definitely within the next two if Ryan stays healthy.
Nativebird
August 21st, 2009
2:09 pm
MB, very doable season prediction, I’ll take that for sure, although I think they could upset one of your opposing winners except for NE.
BTW, I LOVE the throw-back Uni’s, circa 1966. Can’t wait for a team to actually win in them.
midnite
August 21st, 2009
2:12 pm
For anyone to try to diminish what the 11-5 Falcons, with Mike Smith, TD, and Matt Ryan did in 2008 is complete lunacy. After the shambles Mike Vick(and Petrino)left this team in 2007, the Falcons overcame tremendous odds to do what they did in 2008. Please don’t compare the felon with Matt Ryan.
SWAT Native
August 21st, 2009
2:13 pm
I hadn’t realized how much the ‘66 jerseys were like the one’s they wore ten years ago. I vote for going back to this look (with the red helmets) and getting rid of the arena-league uniforms.
Falcons Defense
August 21st, 2009
2:13 pm
vs Arizona in playoffs……..
2 interceptions
1 safety
Hey we didn’t play offense!
Gary
August 21st, 2009
2:16 pm
Falcons losing to the Panthers in week 2 at home? Panthers only win here when our team is a disaster. 41-17 loss at NE? I give it that the NE game might be a loss, but please the Falcons offense should at least put up 28 or better on that old defense. High scoring game that day will be. You are giving Dallas way too much credit predicting a win. This team has 11 of 12 wins in it and will get over the NFC South hump this year.
Depth Chart
August 21st, 2009
2:18 pm
Brooking…………gone
Boley…………gone
Foxworth…………gone
Grady……….gone
Milloy…………gone
Douglas…………done for season
Moore…………… injured
Houston…………..injured
Big Dog
August 21st, 2009
2:19 pm
Come on Mark. Don’t be so negative! 14-2. You’re giving Carolina and Philly too much credit..
MightyQuinn
August 21st, 2009
2:20 pm
Did anyone bother to read “Amazing!!!”’s post? Just wondering. You don’t get paid by the word here, dude.
Gary
August 21st, 2009
2:22 pm
Wow, its seems a lot of the Vick lovers seem to forget that our Falcons teams underachieved every year except two the entire time he was here. You do remember the 05 and 06 season’s don’t you? How many critical fumbles did Mr. Vick cost us down the stretch in those seasons? I remember the Falcons leading TB at home in 05 with a shot at the playoffs on the line. Vick had the ball in his right hand and while scrambling around fumbled deep inside the Falcon 20. TB scores on the next play and win the game. Falcons finished 8-8 and miss the playoffs. Next year ole Michael gives the fans the finger and fails to show up against Carolina in a critical late season home game. Falcons finish 7-9 and Vick is done as a Falcon after that.
Big Dog
August 21st, 2009
2:23 pm
Oh, I’m sorry! I forgot Dallas… They are highly over-rated. When was the last time they were in the playoffs? Don’t make decisions based on records 10+ years ago.
Amazing!!!
August 21st, 2009
2:24 pm
I looked for a Ryan “biography” but apparently you have to win a playoff game first.
Maybe next year guys
midnite
August 21st, 2009
2:24 pm
Amazing!!!-Anyone can copy and paste, you are not fooling anybody.
Just a reminder, you left out:
Ron Mexico
pictured smoking a blunt
failing to study playbook
stolen Rolex
birding us fans
water bottle stash
standing up Congress
killing and abusing dogs
lying to Blank and Goodell
going to prison
Or will all of that be in your next plagiarized novel?
St. Louis
August 21st, 2009
2:38 pm
We will beat your sorry butts worst than Detroit!
Angry White Man
August 21st, 2009
2:40 pm
I hate I can’t run a 4.3 forty
I hate I am not rich
I hate rich black quarterbacks
I am angry as hell!!!!!
tj
August 21st, 2009
2:41 pm
If the Falcans cut Shockley, and keep Redman, I would have to say that a winning season is not in store for us… Ryan has the potential to get hurt, and I would rather see Shockley behind center than ole Noodle arm Redman if that were to happen.. If Ryan stays injury free, then a winning season is a possibility only if the D can improve some more!
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
3:00 pm
AMAZING……you left off what the dumbing was doing off the field.
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
3:01 pm
oh and all the fumbles that cost the team wins!!!! MORON!!!
Terrell
August 21st, 2009
3:10 pm
Bug Killer, if I may. You are right to a certain extent that Vick was his best as a first year starter, but it wasn’t because teams hadn’t figured him out yet, it was because coach Reeves played to his strengths. The offense they ran then was very similar to the one Atlanta is running now.
As for you Bad News, Bug Killer was saying that “BOTH” Vick and Ryan red-shirted. How can you say 24 is too old for a 2nd year player? Most guys are either turning 23 or 24 in their 2nd season because most red shirt in their 1st year of college. Vick was in college for 3 years, by rule of the NFL you have to be removed from high school 3 years before you can go enter in the draft. The year he came on to the scenes was his second year at Va Tech when they played Florida ST in the championship game. He was a red-shirt freshman, which means he had already been at Va Tech for 1 season and he was in his 2nd season when they went to the National Title game. In other words, if Vick had stayed in college like Matt Ryan did Vick would’ve been the same age. I really think you need to get your facts straight before you try to post again.
Terrell
August 21st, 2009
3:18 pm
I’m sorry to the old heads here, but I like the throwbacks because you don’t have to seem them every week. I hate the color combo of black jerseys, white pants, and a red helmet. It’s like out team got dressed in the dark or something. I don’t understand how our current jerseys can be defined as area league.
bakerman
August 21st, 2009
3:23 pm
If ignorance is bliss, you vick lovers must be the happiest people on the planet!
Curse Of Vick
August 21st, 2009
3:25 pm
2004 & counting!
Mark Bradley
August 21st, 2009
3:26 pm
Good idea, Swat Native. Here is last season’s famous 5-11 forecast. Read it and laugh.
Matt Ryan Groupie
August 21st, 2009
3:27 pm
I don’t care about winning playoff games.
Go Falcons!
FAN OF FALCONS SORRY
August 21st, 2009
3:30 pm
FALCONS SORRY YOUR RIGHT!!! #7 WAS IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST PLAYR ON THE FILLED! AUTHUR BLANKS TEAM IS NOTHING WITH THAT SORRY #2 AND WILL GET KILT WHEN THE EAGELS COME TO THE DOME! LOOK HERE EVEN IF THE SORRY FALCONS CARIED MACHINE GUNS ON THEY BACKS TO SHOOT DOWN VICK THEY STILL CULD NOT STOP #7 FROM TAKIN IT TOO THE HOUSE! GO VICK! GO EAGELS! AND GO FALCONS SORRY!
BugKiller
August 21st, 2009
3:38 pm
Terrell, thank you. I appreciate the back up. Can’t hang out all day and wait to respond to idiots like that guy.
As for proving Vick spent 3 years in college, has this moron ever heard of ESPN.com or even Wikipedia???
I mean wow.
And I have no issues with the people who, for some unknown reason, feel affection for a sociopathic dog killer and torturer.
But to claim that Vick is anything even comparing to Matt Ryan as a QUARTERBACK is lunacy.
It’s night and day. Vick is a running back, much like Jesus Tebow is a fullback.
They both just happen to throw the ball every once in awhile. Usually only to their first read, as neither know how to read defenses or play in a pro style offense.
What I cannot stand are the people who tear down the best QB this franchise has had since Bartowski (and he’s gonna be better, God-willing) to prop up their favorite felon.
Nativebird
August 21st, 2009
3:53 pm
Problem with Vick is that while he was busy thanking the Eagles, his family, Tony Dungy and everything else under God’s blue sky, he didn’t once mention Atlanta.
Vick did not apologize to the Falcons Organization for embarrassing them. Not once did he say he was sorry to the Atlanta fan base specifically for letting them down. Bet Mr. Blank noticed this too.
“I’m sorry to everybody” doesn’t cut it bro.
Like all thugs, it’s about them, not their victims. Even his apologies were about him.
Vick CRUSHED this organization and city, and still doesn’t have the decency to even apologize for it. and for that, I will never forgive him.
JEM
August 21st, 2009
4:01 pm
“TOOK THE FILLED”. Hilaroius. Falcons Sorry is a TROLL.
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
4:03 pm
Vick=franchise killer…..WATCH OUT EAGLES!!!
Matt Ryan Groupie
August 21st, 2009
4:14 pm
I don’t care if we go 10 more years without a playoff win.
Go Falcons!
SWAT Native
August 21st, 2009
4:16 pm
Actually, Mark, your projections from last year were looking pretty good until the Green Bay game; I think that win was really the turning point in their season (who really thought they’d win that one?). You actually had them doing better than most prognosticators. Hopefully, though, you’ve underestimated them again this year, but I think you have it about right.
Phoneguy71
August 21st, 2009
4:17 pm
FALCONS SORRY:!!! #7 WAS IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST PLAYR ON THE FILLED!
Are you serious….. The filled….Its the FIELD!!!!! Moron
Angry White Man
August 21st, 2009
4:18 pm
Who cares if Vick
Is the only Falcon qb to be elected to 3 pro bowls
Is the only Falcon qb to be a finalist for MVP
Last qb to win the division
Last qb to win a playoff game
Only qb in the decade to not go 1 & done in the playoffs
I speak for all of “OUR” kind – we don’t like his type dagg nappit!
Phoneguy71
August 21st, 2009
4:18 pm
HaHAHA LMAO “The filled”
Frickin moron Vick Troll…. Hilarious!
SWAT Native
August 21st, 2009
4:21 pm
Native Bird,
I hate to get drawn into the Michael Vick debate because I think we’d all be better if we moved on. But, I believe that Michael Vick made apologies to the Falcons, fans and franchise when he had his press conference when he accepted the plea deal.
One thing that struck me in the telecast of the Detroit game was Arthur Blank saying that he had visited Vick when he got out of prison, spent a few hours at his house, and even called the commissioner on his behalf. To me, if Arthur Blank can forgive him and move on, I think everyone else should, too.
Phoneguy71
August 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
NativeBird: I couldnt have said it better my friend. Well said.
YUP!!
August 21st, 2009
4:23 pm
I’m wouldn’t care if all you Vick nu** huggers would leave and go post your stupid comments on the Eagles board.
JEM
August 21st, 2009
4:24 pm
Diggin’ those throwbacks, though. Hey Blank, bring back the old logo and change the current uni’s ASAP. They are just a horrible reminder of a horrible era.
JEM
August 21st, 2009
4:27 pm
Great idea YUP!!. All of the folks with the Vick man-crush can head on over to the Philadelphia Beagles boards and blogs. He is with a new team, CLOWNS!
Fish Bisch
August 21st, 2009
4:30 pm
16-0 all the way baby!!!
TheManMike
August 21st, 2009
4:31 pm
Nice article Mark.
dan
August 21st, 2009
4:32 pm
I say 9-7. There are like 3 teams that have a bye week before the Falcons this year. With that being said, bye weeks don’t tend to be as big of a deal in the NFL like the are in college and can actually work against a team if their opponent is on a hot streak. I could see the Falcons starting off like 4-6, and finish out 9-7. I also think that the Patriots game will be closer that 41-14. The Pats have weapons, but that match up will be in week 3 and I think it may take Brady a few weeks to get his legs under him coming off surgery. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pats got more conservative and ran the ball more at the beginning of the year.